Can this really be used for steaming veggies/potatoes? This basket seems to be a frying one, not a steamer, right?
1130
I guess you can steam in the pressure cooker but timing will be VERY tricky in my opinion. Use a covered Corningware in your microwave preferably.
1131
No, it works as a steamer basket, you need very little water. You'll be surprised how much liquid comes out of the food you cook. I generally add a half cup or less of liquid for most dishes.
1910871
From one Grandma to another.. I never even considered cooking pasta in my medium Steamer - with or without the basket. I would worry it would burn and/or melt from sooo long with high heat. I hate the rack. Removing the hot rack always burns my fingers, and gloves would be too bulky to get a good grip on the steamer.I use a 2 qt (mebbe is's only one quart) pyrex glass measuring cup in my microwave to boil water. If you do try it for cooking pasta, pls share your results with me. Good luck!!'
1652367
It doesn't hold a lot of veggies. You could cut a potato in half and steam some green beans or broccoli. That's it. Enough for one person for a meal. Not enough for two. (Although I use it constantly as it works brilliantly at steaming dumplings.) And yes, you can cook rice and steam together.
167079
I don't think that you can use it for any type of frying since it gets extremely hot. I believe the instructions also mention that it should only be used for boiling in large pots.
1741517
Have not tried to use as a steamer basket has a fine mesh screen do not see why you could not use as a steamer basket
80900
Hi. You would put an inch or more of water in the big pan and you would insert the steamer basket and put the vegetables in that. VOILA!
1409270
Yes! the handle attaches to the basket, like a spring load into two holes in the basket. You can steam without the handle, then reattach it to lift out of your pot with the greatest of ease when you're finished. I LOVE it! ;o) I've already used it for turkey stock, par-boiling a cabbage head, and have thought of many future uses. (blanching veggies in the summer for freezing/canning season). Good luck!
1118968
I steam fish and vegetables in this. They turn out very well, just tender and not overcooked. Hope this helps
1129401
I used it several times it burned my rice. Takes up too much counter space. Don't know about veggie steaming
1304977
YES!!! It has a thin white handle on the "inside" of the basket. May I say I love my steamer!!! Baked white potatoes are sooooo delicious, soft and moist. All the veggies and potatoes cook in half the regular time. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I have.
1433190
We steam salmon and it's so so moist. I can put it frozen, from freezer to Steamer, and also put my veggies in another basket and have a whole meal ready. Use it to boil eggs, instead steam them and believe me they turn out perfect. Love this.
1973967
I also have this pc..would also like to know what steamer basket would fit this.
286504
yes you can there are even recipes in the booklet! You can also steam vegetables in it is a steamer basket. I love mine.
1365096
Absolutely. That is actually the intended use. The steamer insert is for vegetables or fish you might want to steam while cooking rice or another grain below.
921765
Yes and no depending on what you want to cook. Yes : For anything that won't retain too much water e.g. Potato or when you evaporate all water e.g. rice dishes No : Veggies, fish etc. These could get soggy (disintegrate) and you will have to strain things out at the end. Buying a separator (&lt;$10 in any Indian store) or steamer basket is a good investment. Remember to remove the 'whistle' and steam for desired amount of time if you plan on using this as a 'steamer' and not a pressure 'cooker'. The quality of the steel (as others have already mentioned) is stellar. Cleaning it is extremely easy, unless you burnt something in it of course :)
740738
I purchased the steamer for hot dogs mostly. The book states vegetables also and I would think they would be great also. It's just a little large to just do vegetables for me.
606548
this works great for asparagus.I have also used it for small articokes and for potatos and squash as well as for boiling eggs. great steamer. Marianne S.